News

Greenfire’s 15 Year Anniversary Party

GMS 15 Year Party

Posted by & filed under News, Tribal.

Greenfire marked its 15th anniversary with a celebration at the Wgema Campus on Milwaukee’s Near West Side. The campus, home to Greenfire’s headquarters, is a multi-phased redevelopment project for the Forest County Potawatomi Community (FCPC). Hosting Greenfire’s 15-year anniversary party on the Wgema Campus served as a fitting parallel of the company’s growth alongside the Tribe’s investment and vision.

The event theme, “Humble Beginnings, Healthy Future,” echoed Greenfire’s evolution from a small purpose-built subsidiary of Potawatomi Ventures, the investment arm of the FCPC, into a successful, self-sustaining construction management firm. The celebration recognized the relationships of many contributors to Greenfire’s success in a highly competitive industry. Over 200 attendees included Greenfire staff, FCPC Elders and Executive Council and Potawatomi Ventures leadership. The event also hosted past, current and recurring clients, trade partners, community members and local dignitaries. The gathering honored those that have helped shaped Greenfire’s first 15 years.

The event featured delicious fare from Tots on the Street, Modern Maki and Better Together Café with Bar Stars Bartending providing beverages. Guests enjoyed ample tunes, games and the opportunity to sign the giant Jenga blocks.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson attended the party and proclaimed June 26, 2025, as Greenfire Management Services Day. Mayor Johnson presented Greenfire president, Jeb Meier with a proclamation plaque, recognizing the company’s contributions to the city through its construction work and positive community impact. The program opened with ceremonial drum songs by Fire Nation as the party patrons gathered in the historic Tthigwe Gymnasium.

Business Development Manager and FCPC Tribal member Michael Moe emceed the remarks. FCPC Chairman Brooks Boyd Sr. opened with a prayer and reflection on Potawatomi Ventures subsidiaries like Greenfire, and the positive growth it provides the Tribe. District 4 Alderman Bob Bauman highlighted Greenfire’s positive local economic impact to his constituents. Potawatomi Ventures CEO and former Greenfire president, Kip Ritchie, spoke to the company’s early vision and long-term goals. Potawatomi Ventures COO, Jeff Johnson and president, Jeb Meier each reflected on the team’s hard work, the company’s evolution, and the future potential ahead.

The day concluded with a recognition from Light The Hoan, which lit the Hoan Bridge in Greenfire Green for the evening, which provided another fitting symbol of Greenfire’s bright future.

Greenfire would like to thank all that attended, and helped celebrate a milestone that serves as a reminder of where it started, how far it has come, and where it is headed — rooted in community, guided by values, and driven by purpose. #BuildersOfTheFuture

Huge thank you to Clarissa Friday for great photos of the event!


Students Tour fireside MARKET

Posted by & filed under News, Commercial, Tribal.

Greenfire and fireside MARKET recently welcomed Potawatomi Ventures interns and students from the Career Exploration program to the construction site of the new fireside MARKET in Slinger, WI. The visit introduced the students to the work of Potawatomi Ventures subsidiaries and highlighted how cross-subsidiary collaboration drives long-term value for the Forest County Potawatomi Community (FCPC).

Greenfire is managing construction of the 9,500 SF fresh food-forward convenience store, located at the intersection of Hetzel Way and State Highway 60. The store is being developed by Potawatomi Venture’s development arm, Sagewind Development, and will serve as the first retail tenant in Merchant Village. The project is nearing completion this summer.

Alongside David Lloveras, Vice President and General Manager of fireside MARKET and the Greenfire project team, the students toured the site and learned about Greenfire’s construction management process and how the team coordinates with the architect and engineers to bring the project out of the ground. The visit also provided insight into fireside MARKET’s operational plans and how the store model combines convenience with food service, drive-thru access, EV charging, and online ordering.

With the steel frame and core building work completed, the project has advanced into final stages. Interior mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems are in place, and exterior finishes are wrapping up. Paving is underway for customer parking, fueling stations, and truck access. Underground fuel systems and a large retaining wall along the northern perimeter for the drive-thru have been installed.

The collaboration between Greenfire and fireside MARKET is an example of Potawatomi Ventures subsidiaries working together to support FCPC’s long-term economic development strategy. The interns left with a stronger understanding of how these efforts deliver value — not only through construction and retail operations, but by contributing to the Tribe’s broader goals of investment, growth and opportunity.


Door County Granary Hosts Photoshoot

Door County Granary Hosts Photoshoot

Posted by & filed under News, Commercial, Historic, Hospitality.

The Door County Granary, a 2,285 SF historic structure restored by Greenfire, recently served as the site of an architectural photo shoot. Photographers Kevin Miyazaki and Mike Roemer captured the building’s unique textures, materials, and waterfront setting. Architect James Dallman of LA DALLMAN, who designed the adaptive reuse of the building, directed the shoot and met with visitors to share background on the Granary’s transformation and future use. The engineering of the building’s renovation was done by Beane Engineering, whose founder Jeffrey Beane is a Sturgeon Bay Native.

Located along the Sturgeon Bay waterfront, the Granary is one of the last remaining grain elevators on the Great Lakes. Built in 1901 and saved from demolition by the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation (SBHS), the Teweles and Brandeis Grain Elevator has been preserved and repurposed into a seasonal public gathering space as part of the city’s larger waterfront redevelopment efforts.

Greenfire managed the construction in two phases. The first phase involved relocating the structure and installing new foundations. The second phase included restoring both the exterior and interior, building a catering kitchen and restrooms, and completing landscaping and site improvements. The project incorporated salvaged materials, including 100-year-old reclaimed siding from a dismantled granary in Superior, WI, to maintain a historic aesthetic and keep a unique façade.

Mike Roemer’s drone photography captured these exterior finishes from the sky, while Kevin Miyazaka’s interior photography snapped the original timber construction that has been activated into a destination interior / exterior event space, now complete with modern amenities.

These modern improvements were made without compromising the building’s original character. Greenfire installed an in-floor heating system to serve the unconditioned event space. Also integrated into the floor is unique upwards lighting that accentuates the wooden character at night. Greenfire’s cost savings during buyout allowed for upgrades, including an expanded outdoor patio to better serve events held in the space.

With the space now active, the Granary has become a public venue and historic marker of Sturgeon Bay’s agricultural heritage. The SBHS are currently fundraising to expand public access to upper levels of the structure.

Visitors can learn more about the Granary and the SBHS Foundation’s further activation efforts here, or by visiting the site in-person in Sturgeon Bay, WI – which we highly recommend!


JFS Board Tours Woodale Crossing

JFS Board Tours Woodale Crossing

Posted by & filed under News, Multi-Family, Senior Living, Uncategorized.

Greenfire’s project team recently welcomed the Jewish Family Services (JFS) Housing Board to tour the nearly complete Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Residences at Woodale Crossing in Brown Deer, WI. The project will bring 56 affordable housing units designed to support seniors and individuals living with disabilities.

Located at the intersection of West Bradley Road and North Teutonia Avenue, the 58,487 SF building was designed by JLA Architects with engineering by The Sigma Group. The three-story structure offers a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom units, along with common spaces, underground parking, staff offices, and outdoor patios.

Project Manager Ryan Hermes gave key updates to the board members touring the three floors of the new residence that is slated for ribbon cutting in the coming weeks.

Greenfire has brought the project into its final stages, with crews finishing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and completing interior work floor by floor towards project closeout. Exterior infrastructure and landscaping included the installation of retaining walls, a biofiltration basin pond, surface parking, and a circle driveway, with ample parking for residents in the underground parking podium for the building.

During the board tour, Greenfire presented JFS Housing with a $3,000 donation to support the campaign for on-site supportive services. The contribution reflects Greenfire’s broader commitment to projects that provide long-term value to the communities we serve.

Greenfire has extensive experience managing affordable and supportive housing construction. Past and current projects throughout Wisconsin involved collaboration with nonprofit organizations, housing authorities, and development teams to bring high-quality housing to the market. From early planning through closeout, Greenfire emphasizes cost control, schedule management, and safe site operations, especially on active or occupied campuses like the adjacent Deerwood Crossing Senior Residences.

Once completed, Woodale Crossing will add to JFS Housing’s portfolio and further support their mission of delivering safe, inclusive housing options for vulnerable populations in Brown Deer.

 


Project Spotlight | Cornerstone Village-Highland

Cornerstone Village-Highland

Posted by & filed under News, Multi-Family, Senior Living, Uncategorized.

Greenfire is managing the construction of Cornerstone Village – Highland, an affordable housing development by Cardinal Capital Management, located in Milwaukee’s historic Concordia neighborhood. The four-story, 84,400 SF building will bring 71 affordable apartments to the Near West Side, specifically designed for elderly residents and adults with disabilities.

The development replaces a long-vacant healthcare facility at 3200 W. Highland Blvd., a building originally constructed in 1966. Demolition of the site was completed in 2024, clearing the way for this new affordable housing community.

The L-shaped building is beginning to rise from the ground, atop the underground parking podium. With the building’s topping-out on the horizon, rough-ins for plumbing and electrical systems are progressing upward, floor-by-floor. The access drive from the rear alley to the underground garage has already been excavated and poured.

When complete, Cornerstone Village – Highland will offer a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments. Of the 71 total units, 65 will be income-restricted for households earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income, with 18 of those units prioritized for formerly homeless seniors and more than a dozen designated for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Six units will remain unrestricted. The building will feature resident amenities such as a community kitchen, shared gathering spaces, and a rooftop terrace. Residents will also have access to an outdoor patio with garden beds, and the parking component will include 20 underground stalls along with 13 surface spaces.

Both Greenfire and the project’s design team – Quorum Architects can watch the project rise out of the ground from their home offices. Quorum’s offices are just next door in the Fred Pabst, Jr. House on Highland Ave, and Greenfire’s Milwaukee office is on the Wgema Campus, which is just a block away.

Greenfire is keeping the site running smoothly while navigating tricky site logistics, like keeping the project site a net zero fill and operating around heavy street utility work on Highland Ave by the city. By implementing strong project logistics planning throughout the preconstruction process, Greenfire is able to overcome site challenges and keep construction progress steady on this vital housing resource for our neighbors on the Near West side.


The Spark | June 2025

Cornerstone Village-Highland

Posted by & filed under News.

In this edition of The Spark, Greenfire certainly has had a busy May – with many of our projects nearing completion or significant milestones. The month of May also featured awards and nominations for several Greenfire projects throughout the state of Wisconsin. #BuildersOfTheFuture.

Take a break from your endless scrolling and get caught up here – the June 2025 edition of #TheSpark


Greenfire Projects Earn Mayor’s Design Awards

Posted by & filed under News, Commercial, Hospitality, Multi-Family, Tribal.

The Milwaukee Mayor’s Design Awards recognize architectural design excellence throughout the City of Milwaukee. Two projects managed by Greenfire received these awards by adding value to their neighborhoods by renovating, restoring, constructing or enhancing their properties in a way that contributes to the character of their neighborhoods.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson hosted the 28th annual awards ceremony at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Architecture & Urban Planning.

Concordia 27 received an Urbanism Redefined Award – recognizing projects that “made extraordinary contributions that restores the City’s built environment and expands opportunities for employment, education and bolsters social connections.”

Located on Milwaukee’s Near West Side on the corner of 27th and Wells St, Concordia 27 is the transformation of a once vacant yet historic 79,250 SF building into a bustling community and wellness hub. In addition to 30 affordable apartment units, Concordia 27 provides community resources for local entrepreneurs, retail and café spaces, gathering and meeting spaces, as well as the home of other local organizations. The development’s first floor is home to Near West Side Partners offices, the Milwaukee Centers for Independence’s training center and meal prep kitchen, Fruition MKE’s coworking, makerspace and café, and SWIM (Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee) a non-profit resource and therapy center that addresses trauma and provides wellness services.

Project Team & Contributors
Wiegand Enterprises, Quorum Architects, Inc., Pierce Engineers, Preserve Design Studio, LLC, Near West Side Partners (NWSP)

Davidson Park received a Places & Spaces Award – awarded to projects that have “greatly contributed to the character of Milwaukee’s neighborhood and improved public infrastructure and community spaces for everyone to enjoy.”

This brand-new Park offers Milwaukee residents a vibrant and inclusive outdoor gathering space that blends cultural heritage with sustainable design in mind. The park includes the use of natural, waney-edge timbers and weathered steel. The park utilizes its bioretention systems, pervious pavers, and underground storage cistern to capture over 225,000 gallons of stormwater during large rain events. 120 native plant species, including 20 species of trees and 100 species of perennials were planted. With green lawns, a serenity garden designed in collaboration with the Forest County Potawatomi Community, and a central amphitheater at “The Hub,” this new space park invites families, neighbors, and visitors to connect.

Project Team & Contributors

The Harley-Davidson Foundation, Heatherwick Studio / HGA, Near West Side Partners, The Forest County Potawatomi Community

Congratulations to our project partners who trusted us to manage these innovative construction projects that help improve Milwaukee’s urban spaces!

 


Greenfire Joins Potawatomi Biz Expo in Crandon

PV Biz Expo

Posted by & filed under News, Tribal, Uncategorized.

Greenfire joined fellow subsidiaries of Potawatomi Ventures at the first Potawatomi Ventures Business Expo at the Forest County Potawatomi Community Center in Crandon. The event was designed to connect Forest County Potawatomi Tribal members with the leaders and operations of the parent company and subsidiary businesses owned by the Tribe.

As a construction management firm wholly owned by the Forest County Potawatomi Community, Greenfire welcomed opportunities share our work, provide updates on current and upcoming projects and answer questions. Among discussions regarding all the projects Greenfire has underway, some notable projects of interest of Tribal members included our Greeneway Infrastructure project in Kenosha, the Cloud Village (formerly known as Village West) project for the Ho-Chunk nation in Baraboo, the Aquaponics Greenhouse expansion for the FCPC, as well as renovations and improvements to the Potawatomi Casino | Hotel in Carter. Having the business expo held in the Community Center is a particular source of pride for Greenfire, having managed the construction of the 108,000 SF facility.

Greenfire joined other Potawatomi Ventures subsidiaries including Sagewind Development, fireside MARKET, Wgema Leasing, Data Holdings, PBDC Federal Group, and Potawatomi Ventures key members and leadership as they connected with Tribal members.

The Expo featured four breakout sessions on key topics: Potawatomi Ventures board roles, corporate financials and rebranding, an overview of PBDC Federal Group, and Sagewind’s real estate development efforts. These sessions gave tribal members the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about their pursuits.

Dinner was provided by Chef Mikaya Alloway, an FCP tribal member and owner of Wild Plume, featuring dishes rooted in Indigenous recipes. Raffle prizes were also given away, including Brewers tickets, a Wisconsin Dells trip, a Blackstone grill set, a Microsoft Surface Pro, a summer beach package and more. There was no short supply of Potawatomi Ventures swag as well.

Greenfire values opportunities to connect face to face with FCPC members. We appreciate the collaboration with Potawatomi Ventures and our fellow subsidiaries, in our pursuit of being Builders of the Future and being Brighter Together!


Daily Reporter Recognizes Greenfire Projects

The Daily Reporter Top Projects of 2024

Posted by & filed under News, Commercial, Historic, Hospitality, Multi-Family.

Four Greenfire projects were recognized as a Top Project of 2024 by The Daily Reporter, which honors 40 of the top development projects across Wisconsin.

The following projects received awards:

Davidson Park  |  Milwaukee, WI

This project was conceptualized during the pandemic to redevelop an otherwise unused corporate parking lot. In order to re-establish their commitment to the community, the Harley-Davidson Foundation decided to turn the underutilized area into a community space. This includes a park and green space, drivable paths for motorcycles, a central stage area for performances and a multitude of native plantings. The circular format reflects back to the product this innovative company produces and aims to gather people together in a central location. The project is built utilizing locally sourced materials such as brick, natural timber and weathered steel. Davidson Park acts as a civic green gathering space available and accessible to all in the neighboring community.

Project Team & Contributors

The Harley-Davidson Foundation, Heatherwick Studio, HGA, Near West Side Partners, The Forest County Potawatomi Community

 

Potawatomi Casino | Hotel Sportsbook  |  Milwaukee, WI

The space formerly occupied by the Northern Lights Theatre on Potawatomi Casino | Hotel’s first floor has been transformed into one of the nation’s most impressive sportsbooks. Gilbane | Greenfire managed the renovation project to create a premier sports experience for the Casino. Most noticeably of the sportsbook’s new features is a nearly 2,000 SF screen that spans the entire sportsbook – large enough to view 30 sporting events simultaneously. The space features a stadium-style upper-level VIP seating area, as well as a broadcast booth available for podcasts and live media. In addition to the sportsbook, scope of this project included the renovation and reopening of an adjacent brand new 14-table poker room. The sportsbook features a first-class bar, as well as a brand-new full-service kitchen serving food for sportsbook guests, as the entire sportsbook space can host up to 200 sports fans.

Project Team & Contributors

Potawatomi Casino | Hotel, Gilbane | Greenfire, I-5 Design, The Forest County Potawatomi Communty

 

Tivoli Green Apartments Phase II  |  Mount Pleasant, WI

Greenfire managed the construction of the second phase of construction at the Tivoli Green development in Mount Pleasant, which was the first multi-family development in 20 years in Racine County. The first phase provided much needed housing and density, and the second phase provided even more – with a focus on adding townhome-style apartments based on resident feedback and market demand. Phase II’s apartment buildings and townhomes include private side-by-side two-car attached garages. This phase added nine buildings and a maintenance garage, with units that are fitted with high-end furnishings, and outside features manicured landscaping.

Project Team & Contributors

Wangard Partners, JLA Architects, Spire Engineering, raSmith

 

Wisconsin Farmers Union  |  Chippewa Falls, WI

This historic renovation and reimagination of the 1916 Chippewa Falls Mercantile building along the shores of the Chippewa River has transformed into Market On River – a venue meant to be a driver of commerce and community in downtown Chippewa Falls. Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) acquired the 45,000-square-foot building on River and Island streets and now calls the brick building on the riverfront their new home and state headquarters. Market On River features retail spaces, a food hall, community events space and residential apartments. As a member-driven organization, WFU is leasing space to like-minded partners who want to collaborate and see local and independent farmers, entrepreneurs, and businesses thrive.

Project Team & Contributors

Wisconsin Farmers Union, Studio EA, A.M. Structural Engineering, Tweet Garot, B&B Electric

Greenfire represented alongside our project partners at the award ceremony held in the new Baird Center expansion in Milwaukee.


The Spark | May 2025

JFS Woodale Crossing

Posted by & filed under News.

May is heating up, and so is the momentum towards Summer at Greenfire. This month’s Spark celebrates major project milestones across Wisconsin, and recognition from industry peers with exciting project award wins. From topping out at projects to nearing final turnover, our teams continue to be #BuildersOfTheFuture.

Take a break from your endless scrolling and get caught up here – the May 2025 edition of #TheSpark


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